Bonaire/Aruba recommendations + advice

[scm007]

I will be in Bonaire for 8 days this November (VERY excited). I will also be in Aruba for 2 days.

Anyway I have a couple of questions that I was hoping could be answered.

1.) Should I bother with boat diving in Bonaire? If so, is it only worth it to go to that small island off the southwest of the main?

2.) Which dive sites are must dos (obviously subjective)?

3.) In Aruba I will probably only have time for a couple of dives, which wrecks should I definitely check out?

Can't wait!

Stephen

 

[chauncy19]

Stephen,certainly don't have to do any boat dives in Bonaire. Many never do. I have done several and although Klien Bonaire has some great dives I had great experience at La Dania's Leap. Its i believe the only wall dive on Bonaire. You can do it from shore but must exit at Karpata. It was a great boat dive and I am planning on doing it again. However there are many great dives in Bonaire and many of those I haven't done yet. I am sure you'll get other great recommedations--like Karpata itself.
you love the diving no matter where you go in.

 

[The Mighty Thor]

In Aruba you should check out the Antilla.

 

[diversteve]

One boat dive (only) not to be missed is Rappel. It's off Bonaire not Klein Bonaire. IMO one of the best dives done only from a boat is Forest - it's a forest of Black Coral at 70' off Klein. We paired that with a drift-dive at Hand's Off to maximize getting two dives off the boat. We did 7 boat dives over 3 days, 4 would've been better.

Must dives (obviously subjective):

Angel City
Bari Reef
Cliff
Invisibles
Karpata
Salt Pier
Something Special
Tori's Reef
Town Pier
Vista Blue (advanced if there's current)

 

[DiverVince]

SCM..Just pick up a copy of Bonaire Shore diving if that's what you're planning on doing.
Bonaire Shore Diving Made Easy, BSDME, Author Susan Porter

My advice would be to do some boat dives al la carte & make some dives off of Klein... As far as must do, there are over 100 of them. Everyone has favorites (like restaurants). Read the book then pick what appeals to you. Part of the fun is exploring on your own..Have fun

 

[RJP]

Dive the park. (Folks are probably getting sick of me chiming in with this one.)

Put 3-4 tanks per person in the truck, pack a lunch, and get to the park right when it opens.

 

[herman]

Last I heard Town Pier was closed- maybe not by Nov and Salt Pier you need a guide (ie - pay to dive)....actually both you need a guide.

I would add to Steves list:
Oil Slick- not as nice as it once was but still the entry is fun
1000 Steps- mainly because it's kinda the signature dive of Bonaire
Hilma Hooker- nice wreck dive.

 

[DiveMaven]

Both Salt Pier and Town Pier are closed due to damage from Omar. There are some guides taking folks illegally to Salt Pier (or so goes the scuttlebut), but if you're caught, you can lose your truck, your gear, face penalties, etc.

I usually tell people not to prepurchase a dive package that includes boat dives. Boat diving is so inexpensive that you can easily do them ala carte if you want.

 

[DeputyDan]

With only two days in Aruba - will you be able to dive there ????

 

[RJP]

With only two days in Aruba - will you be able to dive there ????

Compared to a week of diving in Bonaire would you even want to bother?